What if Tomorrow was the Last Day…?

Not to sound too depressing but let’s face it, none of us are getting out of this alive…

We never know when it will be our last day – or a loved one’s last day.

Recently, I met a wonderful lady – she is my age – we live similar lifestyles, both of us happily married to great men.

Her story stopped me in my tracks and changed my life forever.

It was a typical day for both of them. After a quick peck on the cheek, he headed out to work in the fields and she began her daily routine of chores around the house.

She never expected to lose him that day. Neither of them knew that morning would be their last.

No one wants to think of such a nightmare, but we all realize it can happen… in the blink of an eye.

If only we were given a warning – If God whispered: “tomorrow is your last day.”

What would we do differently?

I am embarrassed to say that my answer would be, “I would do a lot of things differently.”

If I would do things differently just because it was my last day then why not start making those changes now?

I would want my words to be more kind. I would be more genuine and less hurried. I would try to be more focused, to live life in the moment. I want to be present and engaged with others I encounter.

I want my memory to bring a smile.

I have an experiment I would like you to do…

I did this for just 3 days and it changed how I see and communicate with others.

Try to make a sincere effort to listen more intently, to your children, your spouse, to everyone.

Be aware of your words, make your words softer and more kind.

Do your best to uplift family and total strangers with eye contact, a smile, and a nice greeting.

Tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. If they wave you off, tell them anyway.

For 3 days live your life like the next day was your last – or their last.

This is how this experiment changed me…

I reached out to everyone I encountered – I asked the checkout girl at Walmart if she was a student (it is a college town) – that sparked a conversation – she told me she is a freshman and this is her first time to be away from home, she enjoys her classes but really misses her family back home.

The elderly lady in line at the grocery store had gorgeous long silvery hair and a shirt that she “bedazzled” herself. I told her she was beautiful – (these were words I doubt she had heard in a while) this gorgeous lady was 87 and trying to find herself since her husband passed away last March. As I was headed out the door she called to me and asked my name, she said she wanted to remember me because I made her feel beautiful again.

I felt genuine, I listened with my heart, I spoke from my heart. I made time for people, I made more eye contact, and people noticed. When they saw I was totally engaged, they responded from their heart.

In just one afternoon, I met 2 people who were going through a silent struggle. It felt good knowing that I made their day a little better just by caring, listening and offering a kind word.

Instead of giving my husband a quick peck on the cheek, I look deep into his baby blues and stroke his bearded face as I kiss him, with a hug that lasts a bit longer.

When I slip on my shoes at dawn and go to turn the chickens out I stop to take in the fresh aroma of the morning, I spend a moment to admire the moon still in the morning sky.

Most of us will never get that warning telling us tomorrow is our last day. Or the last day of a loved one, or anyone we encounter.

This 3-day experiment is something I want every day. I want to continue being this person.

I want this for each of you. Think of what you would do differently. What are you waiting for…?

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About teresa.peters@live.com

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11 Comments

Oh thank you, thank you, thank you for this reminder. I will absolutely take your three day challenge. Each one of us has the opportunity every day and often multiple times to be the difference for someone else. Sending you hugs💖.

Your blog post has been sitting in my inbox for a few days and I just got around to catching up on my inbox today. There was obviously a reason I procrastinated (other than…ummm…sometimes I AM a procrastinator!)…and therein lies the problem (or reminder!)

Coincidentally (or not), TODAY – Sept. 26 – also is the 5th anniversary of my husband’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (diagnosed at 60 years old). It’s a day we use to reflect on his progress, on how we are choosing to let PD affect our family life, on how we are contemplating our future with PD, on how we will continue to do our very best at living with PD. But your post also reminds us that we/I need to look at TODAY, too…because we don’t know what tomorrow brings, because, after-all, tomorrow BEGINS today.